[Special election to fill vacancy caused by John Calhoun's resignation from legislature is held. Vote is close in district which includes Sangamon, Logan, Menard, and Dane counties. Thomas J. Nance wins by 36 votes.Theodore C. Pease, ed., Illinois Election Returns, 1818-1848, vol. 18 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1923), 328; Register, 30 November 1839; Abraham Lincoln to John T. Stuart, 14 November 1839, CW, 1:154.]

Lincoln votes for Newton Cloud, who is elected copyist of "House Journal." Lincoln is chosen with English of Greene and Carpenter of Hamilton to sit with two members of Senate on joint rules committee. He speaks and votes against printing 8,000 copies of governor's message.House Journal.

Lincoln writes and files replication to defendant's plea in Herndon v. Cutter.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

By agreement of Logan & Lincoln for plaintiff and Baker and Bledsoe for defendant, order of continuance in Porter & Co. v. Patterson is set aside and case dismissed, each side paying half of costs. Logan & Lincoln have three other cases. One is continued, in another they get verdict, and third is set for hearing Monday.Record.

In each of three cases of School Commissioner for use of Inhabitants of Township 17N, Range 5W v. Chatterton et al., School Commissioner for use of Inhabitants of Township 17N, Range 5W v. Glynn et al., and School Commissioner for use of Inhabitants of Township 16N, Range 5W v. McDonald et al., Logan & Lincoln obtain judgment for $100 debt and $17 damages. They also obtain judgment in Gardner v. Johnson et al. Court sustains defendant's demurrer in Todd v. Ware, but overrules demurrer to complainant's amended bill.Record; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On Lincoln's motion, Antrim Campbell is appointed guardian ad litem in Dormady v. Latham et al. Appeal to Supreme Court is granted plaintiff in Lesure and Bliss v. County of Menard.Record.

In Throckmorton and Everett v. Dockum, ejectment suit, defendant files bill of exceptions. Appeal to Supreme Court is granted defendant, either party to be permitted to file record at ensuing term of Supreme Court.

Lincoln writes, and David Spear signs, report of commissioner inClark et al. v. Trotter et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

The Lincolns leave for national capital. William H. Townsend, Lincoln and His Wife's Home Town (Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill, 1929), 161.

(They probably travel by stage from Lexington to Winchester, Virginia, where they could take Winchester and Potomac Railroad to Harpers Ferry. From there they could take Baltimore and Ohio to Relay Station, Maryland. Thence branch line ran to Washington. John W. Starr, Lincoln and the Railroads: A Biographical Study (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1927), 48.)

Lincoln writes letter of introduction for Dr. Anson G. Henry to Secretary of State Clayton. Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clayton, 25 November 1849, CW, 2:68-69.

Lincoln & Herndon have five cases in court. One is dismissed by their opponents. In Gillman v. Gillman, defendant defaults and their client is granted divorce. They file declarations and proof of service in Neale v. Britton and Beerup et al. v. Britton. In Bunn v. Jones, defendant confesses debt of $1,598.60 and judgment for that amount is entered for their client. Record.

Lincoln writes to his step-brother John D. Johnston, of Charleston, Illinois, regarding some property that Lincoln's stepmother Sara Lincoln owns. Lincoln writes, "[I]f it be sold, of course, she is intitled to the interest on all the money it brings, as long as she lives; but you propose to sell it for three hundred dollars, take one hundred away with you, and leave her two hundred, at 8 per cent, making her the enormous sum of 16 dollars a year. Now, if you are satisfied with treating her in that way, I am not." Abraham Lincoln to John D. Johnston, 25 November 1851, CW, 2:113.

Lincoln & Herndon obtain divorce and custody of children for their client, Reuben Radford, in Radford v. Radford when defendant defaults. In Bunn v. Snow and Keys, defendants confess debt of $18.26. Record.

In Dodge v. Johnson, action on covenant, demurrer filed by defendants is argued and sustained. Lincoln & Herndon are attorneys for plaintiff. In Waddell v. Waddell, their client, complainant, is granted divorce and custody of children on ground of his wife's adultery. Record.

Lincoln & Herndon lose important case when jury returns verdict of $10,000 for plaintiff in Dunlap v. Sayles. Logan, Stuart and Edwards represented plaintiff. In three other cases motions are entered. Record.

Lincoln writes to N. W. Matheny, clerk of Sangamon Circuit Court, declining office of representative. Abraham Lincoln to Noah W. Matheny, 25 November 1854, CW, 2:287-88.

Doctors Ryan and Bell testify that Anderson died of strychnine poisoning. Defense witnesses testify to good character of both defendants, and establish alibi for Theodore. Others testify that Anderson's death was caused by blow on back of head as he emerged from privy. Illinois State Journal, 26 November 1856, 27 November 1856.

Lincoln files his notice for dedimus and interrogatories in Gale v. Morgan County Bank with clerk of U.S. Circuit Court. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes Jonathan Haines, client, asking him to meet him in Chicago next week. Abraham Lincoln to Jonathan Haines, 25 November 1857, CW, 2:426-27.

Lincoln writes Joel A. Matteson, former governor of Illinois and now interested in Chicago & Alton Railroad, regarding suit involving road in which Lincoln & Herndon had been retained. "It has so happened," Lincoln writes, "that, so far, we have performed no service in the case; but we lost a cash fee offered us on the other side." He suggests compromise by which fees may be settled. Abraham Lincoln to Joel A. Matteson, 25 November 1858, CW, 3:342.

Lincoln writes application for letters of administration for Eliza J. Jacoby in estate of Henry Jacoby and files them in Probate Court. Photocopy.

"Mr. Lincoln attended St. James Church . . . with Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, and in the afternoon, by invitation, was present at the Mission Sabbath School and made a short address to the children." Chicago Journal, 26 November 1860.

Lincoln sits for Samuel Alschuler, formerly of Urbana, who photographed Lincoln in 1858. Abraham Lincoln to Henry C. Whitney, 26 November 1860, CW, 4:145.

In evening Lincoln visits home of Asst. Sec. Fox. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In afternoon Mrs. Lincoln visits 65th Infantry Regiment (U.S. Chausseurs), commanded by Colonel John Cochrane, former congressman from New York, encamped near Glenwood Cemetery, north of Capitol. National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 November 1861, 3:2; National Intelligencer, 27 November 1861.

[Irwin deposits $175 in Springfield Marine Bank, rent received from Lucian A. Tilton, president of Great Western Railroad living in Lincoln's house. Pratt, Personal Finances, 164.]

11:30 A.M. President inquires of Gen. Burnside: "If I should be in a Boat off Aquia-Creek, at dark to-morrow (wednesday) evening, could you, without inconvenience, meet me & pass an hour or two with me?" Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside, 25 November 1862, CW, 5:511.

Interviews Samuel B. Ruggles, New York lawyer, politician, and railroad and bank director, regarding "active steps to favor N.Y." Bates, Diary, 24 November 1862.

President signs authorization: "During the temporary absence of the Secretary of War his duties will be performed by Assistant Secretary P H Watson." Authorization for Peter H. Watson, 25 November 1863, CW, 7:30.

Telegraphs Gen. Grant: "Your despatches as to fighting on Monday & Tuesday [Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain] are here. Well done. Many thanks to all. Remember Burnside." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 25 November 1863, CW, 7:30-31.

Lincoln expects war news in evening but retires to bed early feeling unwell. Dennett, Hay Diaries and Letters, 128.

Cabinet meets. President reads draft of Annual Message to Congress. Welles, Diary.

Replies to inquiry of Gov. Curtin (Pa.): "I have no knowledge, information, or belief, that three States, or any state, offer to resume allegiance." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew G. Curtin, 25 November 1864, CW, 8:121.

[John Hay, for Lincoln, thanks George B. Smith for present of piece of beef. CW, 8:569.]